Draft

Minutes of the Organizing Committee Meeting of

Nepal Fair 2008 London

(19 August 2008)

The preparatory meeting of the Organizing Committee of the Nepal Fair 2008 in London was held at the Embassy of Nepal, 12A Kensington Palace Gardens on 19 August 2008. This was in continuation of earlier meetings of 14 May, 13 June, 11 July, 2008 and 23 July 2008. The following personalities, including Embassy officials, participated in the meeting:

Participants:

H. E. Mr. Murari Sharma, Ambassador, Chair

Mr. Anthony Wieler, Co-Chair

Mr. Barry Jaynes, Coordinator (Trade and Investment - UK-side)

Mr. Narendra Kandel, Coordinator (Trade and Investment - Nepal-side)

Mr. Ashish Pant, Coordinator, Publicity

Mr. Mahant Shrestha, Coordinator, Nepali Cuisine

Mr. Surya Gurung, Coordinator, Culture and Fashion

Mr. Amol Gurung, Coordinator, Venue

Mr. Puspa Shrestha, Treasurer

Mr. Jhabindra Aryal, Co-Focal Point

Mr. Raja Ram Giri, Co-Focal Point

Mr. Khimanand Bhusal, Representative, Nepal Embassy

Miss Josika Chhetri, Representative, Limkokwing University

Apologies:

Major Damar Ghale, Co-Chair

Mr. Dhruba K.C., Coordinator, Tourism

Proceeding:

The Committee reviewed the progress in the preparations of the Fair since the last meeting. The Chair, Co-Chair, Coordinators, Treasurer and Focal Points made brief presentation on their respective areas of responsibilities.

After careful deliberation of the agenda and the comments and suggestions made by the participants, the Committee took a number of decisions by consensus.

Decisions:

The Committee:

Decided to extend an invitation to Rt. Hon. Mr. Puspa Kamal Dahal, Prime Minister of Nepal, to become Chief Guest of the Fair and send the invitation letter jointly signed by its Chair and Co-Chair.

Appreciated the Hinduja Group for their decision to sponsor the Fair by providing £2,500.00 and agreed to publish the Hinduja Group's logo in the Fair's flyers and other publications; also appreciated the Group's willingness to meet the Nepali business delegation participating in the Fair.

Expressed its appreciation to the British Chamber of Commerce and the London Chambers of Commerce for their generous offers to host receptions and meet the visiting business delegation.

Commended the offer of the Britain-Nepal Chamber of Commerce to provide BNCC neckties to the Organizing Committee members for their easy identification during the Fair.

Agreed to sell no more than 25 stalls to exhibitors, except the kitchen,

Approved the proposal of the Gurkha Security Services Limited for their services at £ 2350 during the Fair and appreciated them for hiring a stall for their own exhibits.

Decided to hire up to 30 tables for the Fair at the total cost of up to £265.

Also decided to pay train tickets and food expenses of the artists of culture and fashion shows.

Agreed, in principle, to approve the quotation received through Co-Chair Anthony Wieler for insurance coverage of the venue during the Fair.

Approved the extension of stall booking deadline from 15 August 2008 to 22 August 2008.

Also agreed to upload the substantive documents on investment, trade and tourism and its summary leaflet as well as the programme of the Fair on its website; the Fair Secretariat would prepare and provide the contents of the above materials and Publicity Coordinator Mr. Ashish Pant would upload them on the website.

Decided to print 10,000 flyers, 200 documents on investment, trade and tourism, 500 programme booklets and 100 letterheads.

Also decided to write to the Westminster Borough asking for their permission to display advertisement materials outside the Fair venue.

Agreed to hold a press meeting about the Fair on 04 September 2008 at the Embassy. The Publicity Coordinator would coordinate with the Fair Secretariat to send invitation to various media houses and follow up.

Also agreed to hold next follow up meeting of the Committee on 05 September 2008 at 18:30 hrs at the Embassy of Nepal.

　

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